Student satisfaction level, clinical learning environment, and tutor participation in primary care clinical placements: an observational study

Abstract

Background : Competence evaluations in the clinical setting represent approximately 50% of the nurse training process. Factors, such as perceived learning environment and clinical nurse participation, may influence nursing student satisfaction during clinical placements.

Objective : To evaluate the relationship between the levels of nursing student satisfaction with clinical placements, the clinical learning environment, and the level of nurse tutor participation.

Design : A cross-sectional study.

Setting and participants : We included 61 nursing students and 45 clinical nurses from 35 primary care centres assigned to the Universitat Jaume I.

Variables and data collection : We assessed the overall level of student satisfaction with clinical placements, students' perception of the learning environment, tutors' level of participation, and socio-demographic variables.

Data analysis : We performed a descriptive analysis of the study sample, as well as correlation and simple linear regression analyses. Questionnaire results were analysed depending on the nature of the variables.

Results : The students' perception of the learning environment was 4.39 ± 0.48 points out of 5. The overall satisfaction level was 8.89 ± 1.22 points out of 10. Tutor participation level in students learning was 3.91 ± 0.58 points out of 5.

Conclusions : Both student perception of the learning environment in the clinical setting and their overall level of satisfaction with clinical placements in the primary care centres were considered high. Tutors were participative, but poorly satisfied.